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| Reviews Summary for Micro-Tel PR 700 receiver |
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Reviews: 3
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $over 30,000 new
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Description: A spook receiver, possibly designed to find RF bugs? LOADED with features including all mode reception AM CW FMW FMN USB LSB and tunable SCA (subcarrier). Has spectrum scope and range from VLF to 2 GHz.
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Micro-Tel PR 700 receiver.
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SWL377
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Rating: 5/5
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May 28, 2009 11:41
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second review
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have now spent more time with this amazing breast and I am very pleased with how well it works over a huge swath of RF spectrum. Given its complexity and abundance of now unavailable custom parts, you are taking a risk buying one, but I think it is a risk worth taking. This rcvr rocks!!! It can pick up weak NDBs on LF, works fine as a BCB DX rcvr, gets good weak signal SSB copy on a crowded ham HF band (has a good selection of useable IF filters), can not only rcv FM broadcast stations but can demodulate the hidden content on their subcarriers, has a KILLER spectrum scope that is more useful than the one on the ICOM 756 PRO III, does fine on VHF and UHF and even has video output. I bought mine for under $500 on eBay although they seem to go a lot higher now. Mine had two badly mangled handles (on the rear panel), but the rest of the set is clean and straight. The cosmetic damge on the handles is probably why I got it for less than the going price. If you love spectrum exploration, this is the rcvr you have always dreamed about. Most of these types of rcvrs with very wide coverage (like the ones made by Nems Clarke) cant cut it as comm rcvrs, but the PR 700 can. No, its not going to beat an R 390A on HF, but it does a good job and is plenty sensitive. It has a tight front end considering its very wide coverage range and is remarkably free of intermod, spurs, birdies etc. I still have plenty to learn. It appears that the set may be computer controllable, but I have no need to do that. A working PR 700 seems to hold its value very well. They are scarce and highly desirable. You can buy one, play with it and sell it without much of a loss if you decide it's not for you. Mine is a DEFINITE keeper. I have worked in military electronics and this radio is built to incredibly high quality standards. No corners were cut, NONE. They even used now unavailable exotic cutting edge FETs in the front end. Someone (CIA? NSA?) wanted the best possible rcvr that could be built and had the budget for it. SDRs will eventually eclipse all these kinds of rcvrs, but I like knobs, switches, dials, etc. Yes, you are buying what will soon be a dinosaur, but that applies to all non software defined radios. For me this is the ultimate spectrum cruiser. It looks cool too and will definitely command some attention in your shack when fellow hams visit. When they try it, likely they will soon be searching eBay to buy one for themselves.
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TWINOAK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 13, 2009 22:56
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Yep it's a spook rcvr
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just wanted to add to this thread. I worked for Microtel for 6 years from 1980 thru 1986 in Production Engineering as a Design Drafter.
That's a term that is rather forgotten now as I worked on the board = pre CAD era.
The equipment we made went every place on and off the planet. Original Microtel rcvrs went on Mercury missions.
The PR700 is one I would love to have. It has recepetion from (literally) DC to ~ (infinite) in the >GHz with correct mm wavehorn antenna.
An unusual form of testing for shock resistance consisted of one of the techs rolling it around on a "special" cart that had a big divot in one wheel around the parking lot. It got a pretty good shock every 3 seconds.
The amount of QC that went into them was beyond anything that I think would be considered today -even by SAIC and some other (unamed) companies.
Clientele was mostly what I call the "A" groups - pick out some letters and add an "A" at the end -you'll figgur it out.
One little thing - I guess it's de-classified now - if not what the hell. KAL flight 007 (ironic eh?) the one shot down back in the 80's by maybe Soviet fighters with all passengers lost?
It had a large commercial shipment of Microtel equipment on board. It included PR700's and some other gear.
If anyone get's a clue where I can get one I'd love to get my hands on one!
The proprietary chips are going to be hard to find though. If memory serves there were some (now) archaic EPROM's and some (now) obsolete uProcessors in there.
I've lost touch with all the folks I worked with there. The company changed hands to Adams-Russell which became MaaCom.
They still exist in Hunt Valley, Maryland and continue to produce high end surveillance rcvr's and test equipment to the best of my knowledge.
I hope this is of interest to those of you that have this gear.
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K6DPZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 26, 2007 11:45
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Greatest toy you can find
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Any one who is lucky enough to find this radio and it works has a real jewel. We have used them and repaired them and have the docunentation on this unit. My company has repaired quite a few of them.Very complex and advanced receiver in one box.And you can say for all practical purposes.it covers from DC. to Lite.
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